Position control apparatus with flexible level indicator and mounting strap



Aug. 30, 1966 T. R. MORRISON 3,269,729

POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS WITH FLEXIBLE LEVEL INDICATOR AND MOUNTINGSTRAP Filed Feb. 24, 1954 INVENTOR.

TOM R. MORRISON BY MMJM A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3 269,729POSITION CON'IROL APPARATUS WITH FLEX- IIBLE LEVEL INDICATOR ANDMOUNTING STRAP Tom R. Morrison, 1721 Lansing Road, Glen Burnie, Md.Filed Feb. 24, 1964, Eer. No. 346,744 19 Claims. (Cl. 273-54) Thisinvention relates generally to arm position control apparatus and moreparticularly pertains to apparatus which provides a referencecalibration of wrist rotation for sports and. other selected activities.

Many sports activities depend upon precise wrist rotation as an initialcondition for consistency in performance. Examples of sports activitiesin which consistent initial wrist angle is required for expertperformance are: bowling, billiards, golf, baseball batting, archery,curling, shufiieboard, and horseshoe pitching, etc.

It has been discovered that people cannot easily sense a change in wristangle of as much as plus or minus ten to fifteen degrees in a sequenceof activities separated in time. This normal lack of angle sensibilityis further degraded in many activities due to the presence of a heavyand/or clumsy object such as a ball, cue, golf club, etc. in the usershand. For example, the angle at which a bowlers wrist is held before thestart of his swing determines, to a measurable degree, the direction andmagnitude of the curve which the ball traces in its trajectory along thebowling lane. Various tricks are employed by serious bowlers to attemptto attain a consistent initial wrist angle. Some tricks work reasonablyWell for many bowlers, but true precision is seldom attained.

The situation in which a bowling ball touches the floor just prior tobeing released is a complicated dynamics problem in which inertia,friction, misaligned force vectors, and gyroscopic principles areinvolved. The curve of a tenpin bowling ball, having one or more holesselectively spaced on its surface, as it is rolled along its trajectory,is created by the action of the fingers which remain in the ballmomentarily after the thumb is withdrawn. The force vector of thefingers is laterally displaced from the inertia vector passing throughthe centroid of the ball. The amount of this misalignment is seen to begoverned by the rotational angle of the Wrist just prior to release. Thedegenerate case in which the force and inertia vectors are alignedoccurs only when the inner wrist is forward in the direction of motionat release. In this case, the fingers are in line with the inertiavector. Consequently, a straight roll results. The more usual situationis complicated by rotation of the ball imparted during the swing. Ingeneral, the ball contacts the lane with a certain forward velocity andan angular momentum about some axis. An additional rotation about asecond axis is created in the roll of the ball along the lane towardsthe pins. In essence, a combination of gyroscopic precession about therotational axis, and a cross lane roll imparted by the balls spin,combine to force the trajectory of the ball into a long are curve. Ifthis curve can be consistently delivered by the bowler, his choice ofapparent aiming points can yield controllable target points. Suchconsistency produces significant increases in scoring. A similaranalysis applies to bowling with a non-holed ball such as used inbowling duckpins, except that the frictional contact with the fingers issubstituted for the finger location in holes.

The kinematics problem just described is combined with the problem ofhuman physical coordination. For consistency, most people require amethodical approach in which they practice with a certain, non-varying,initial position, stance, pace, swing, release, and follow through. Eachelement is dependent on all others. Continual practice providesintegration of the many physiological and physical elements into asingle smooth motion or delivery.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide alightweight, flexible angular position indicator which can be attachedto the users body and which will conform to the curve of the limb towhich it is attached.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means forsportsmen and the like to achieve a consistent initial position withrelation to the angle of wrist rotation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a meansfor bowlers and the like to achieve a consistent initial position ofWrist rotation in holding a bowling ball during the initial stance priorto delivery of the ball down the bowling lane.

Briefly, the subject invention comprises a transparent tube, preferablyof a flexible material, mounted upon a calibrated base plate which isalso preferably made of an easily deformable material. The transparenttube contains a fluid and a bubble of gas or a fluid which is adapted tomove within the tube and along the calibrated plate when movementoccurs. The combination of the transparent tube and the calibrated plateare fixedly attached to a flexible strap for attachment to the usersbody. The invention is secured to the users body, for example the wrist,and the combination of the transparent tube and the calibrated plate isbent to conform to the users wrist such that a large dynamic angularmeasurement of wrist rotation is provided by movement of the bubblewhich measurement allows the wearer to angularly position his wristrepeatedly in a predetermined position.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as a reading of thefollowing detailed description proceeds when studied in light of thefollowing drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration helpful in understanding the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a drawing illustrative of the preferred embodiment of thesubject invention;

FIGURE 3 is a drawing helpful in understanding the preferred embodimentshown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a drawing illustrative of one type of flexible tube whichcan be utilized in the subject invention;

FIGURE 5 is a drawing of yet another type of flexible tube;

FIGURE 6 is a drawing illustrative of one embodiment of the subjectinvention in which the level tube and the calibrated plate areintegrated into a single unit;

FIGURE 7 is another embodiment of the subject invention comprising anintegrated unit;

FIGURE 8 is still another embodiment of the subject invention employingan integrated unit;

FIGURE 9 .is yet another embodiment of the subject invention in whichthe level and base plate are integrated into a single unit; and

FIGURE 10 is a drawing of still another embodiment of the subjectinvention in which the level and base plate are integrated into a singleunit.

Considering the drawings in detail, FIGURE 1 illustrates the manner inwhich the subject invention achieves its desired objects. Shown thereinis a view of the human elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand including thefingers. The thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of the hand areextended outwardly at mutually right angles to one another. Anorthogonal coordinate system is superimposed such that the thumb definesthe Z axis, the forefinger defines the Y axis and the middle fingerdefines the X axis. Apparatus comprising the subject invention is shownattached to the wrist of the wearer with the level portion appearing onthe upper curved portion thereof. It

will become apparent with an examination of FIGURE 1 that two axes ofrotation, those about the X and Z axes,

are available at the wrist; however, rotation about the Y axis(represented by the pointing forefinger) cannot be performed at thewrist joint. Rotation about the forefinger can only be achieved usingthe elbow. Consequently, any rotation about the forefinger impliesprecisely equal rotation of the wrist through the elbow joint.Therefore, initial Wrist angle, defined as the rotational angle of thewrist about the Y axis, can be precisely controlled by reference to thecalibration markings included on the subject invention.

With respect to FIGURE 2, the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention is shown comprising a flexible transparent tube containing afluid 12 and a bubble 14 of a gas or other suitable fluid. The tube 10is mounted upon a selectively deformable plate 16 having indicia 17 inthe form of graduations printed thereon to form a calibrated plate. Thetube 10 and the calibrated plate 16 are attached to a flexible strap 18which includes a buckle 19 for temporary, relatively immovable,attachment to the users body. A preferred means of mounting the flexibletube 10 and the calibrated plate 16 to the flexible strap 18 is shown inFIGURE 2 where one or more staples 20 are driven through the plate 16and the strap 18 and clinched on the underside thereof so that each tabend of the tube 10 is secured under the loop of the staple 20. Thestaple 20 and the ends of the flexible tube 10 are concealed by the tabs22 formed by shaping and bending the ends of the calibrated plate 16. Astrip of compressible non-skid foam material 24 is attached to theunderside of the flexible strap 18 opposite the position of thecalibrated plate 16 and the flexible tube 10. For use, the entireassembly is bent to conform to the portion of the users body to whichthe subject invention is attached, for example, the wrist. The flexiblestrap 18 is buckled to the users wrist with the tube 10 and thedeformable calibrated plate 16 located in such a manner that when theuser, for example, holds his bowling ball in his usual pre-swing manner,the bubble 14 is substantially centered in the graduations appearing onthe calibrated plate. The user practices a few times to determine thecorrect bubble position for his particular style of delivery; andthereafter always returns his wrist to the same rotational positionbefore the start of every swing using the calibration marks on thecalibrated plate 16 for reference.

The flexibility of the calibrated plate 16 is chosen to be preferably acompromise between the softness required to allow easy bending forinitial fitting to the curve of the users wrist and the stiffnessrequired to retain its shape in the same curve between periods of usewhen being worn. The foam material 24 allows the wrist expansion andcontraction attendant upon sporting activities and prevents slippage ofthe assembly around the users wrist as well as providing a certaindegree of comfort.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 which is a diagram helpful in theunderstanding of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, theflexible tube 10 is formed such that the tab ends 30 of the tube arecoplanar with one side thereof. This configuration reduces the stress inthe tube when the assembly is formed in an are as shown by the dashedlines. Excessive stress tends to flatten the tube 10 and, if a gasbubble 14 is utilized, tends to cause absorption of the gas into thefluid.

FIGURE 4 is illustrative of another embodiment of the tube 10 in whichthe calibrated plate of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2 has beenreplaced by an internal calibrated plate 32 having graduations printedthereon which is sealed into the flexible tube 10 at the time offabrication.

FIGURE 5 is yet another embodiment of the flexible tube 10 where theindicia 34 comprising the calibration markings are provided on theinternal or external surface of the tube 10 itself, thereby eliminatingthe need for the aforementioned calibrated plate 16. The bubble 14 isthen made to be centered between the graduations 34.

FIGURE 6 illustrates one embodiment of the subject invention in whichthe calibrated plate and flexible tube are fabricated into a singleunit. A transparent plastic sheet 40 is bonded to a deformable plate 46in such a fashion that an unbonded protuberance 42 exists longitudinallyalong the center. The semi-cylindrical cavity 44 so formed in theunbonded section is partially filled With a suitable fluid. Calibrationmarkings, not shown, can be located on either sideof the plastic sheet40, or when desired upon the upper surface of the plate 46.

FIGURE 7 illustrates another embodiment of an integrated plate and tube.An easily deformable preferably metal plate 50 is stamped with asemi-cylindrical impression 54. A plain transparent plastic plate 52 isbonded to the plane surface of the plate 50. The semi-cylindrical cavity56 formed in the stamped depression 54 is partially filled with fluid.Calibration markings, not shown, can be located on either side of thetransparent plastic plate 52 or when desired upon the upper surface ofthe plate 50.

Yet another embodiment of the integrated plate and tube is shown inFIGURE 8. Shown therein is a transparent sheet of plastic materialsandwiched between an easily deformable preferably metal base plate 62and aperture plate 64, also easily deformable. Bonding of the threepieces 60, 62 and 64 is performed in a well known manner such that aprotuberance 66 is formed in the plastic sheet 60 so that the sheet 60bulges outward through the aperture plate 64. The semi-cylindricalcavity 68 so formed is partially filled with a suitable fluid. Indiciacomprising calibration markings, not shown, can be located when desiredon the aperture plate 64 on either side of the protuberance 66 and onthe revealed portion of the base plate 62.

Still another embodiment of the integrated plate and tube structure isshown in FIGURE 9. A semi-cylindrical cavity '78 is formed between twoplastic sheets 72 and 74 in a manner similar to that described withregard to FIGURE 6. This assembly is then bonded to an easily deformablebase plate 70. Calibration markings can be selectively located on anyrevealed surface.

Still another embodiment of the integrated plate and tube structure isshown in FIGURE 10. An easily deformable metal plate and a transparentflexible plastic plate 82 are bonded to either side of a metal apertureplate 84. The cavity 86 formed by the aperture plate 84 and the twoplain plates 80 and 82 is partially filled with fluid. As with the otherembodiments previously described, the calibration markings not shown canbe selectively located on any revealed surface.

While there have been shown and described what are at present consideredto be the preferred embodiments of the invention, modifications theretowill readily occur to those skilled in the art. It is not desired,therefore, that the invention be limited to the specific arrangementsshown and described, but it is to be understood that all equivalents,alterations, and modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention are herein meant to be included.

I claim as my invention:

1. A position control apparatus adapted to be worn on the limb of a usercomprising a flexible strap, and a flexible bubble indicator meansconnected to said strap, whereby the combination of said flexible strapand said flexible bubble indicator means are conformable to the contourof the limb of the user.

2. A position control apparatus adapted to be worn on the limb of a usercomprising a flexible strap adapted to be securely fastened to saidlimb, and a flexible position indicating device containing a fluidconnected to said flexible strap, whereby the combination of saidflexible strap and said indicating device are conformable to the contourof the limb of the user.

3. Apparatus for noting the amount of angular rotation of the wrist of auser comprising, flexible bubble indicating means, a flexible strapadapted to be securely fastened to said Wrist and means connecting saidflexible bubble indicating means to said flexible strap, whereby thecombination of said flexible strap and said flexible bubble indicatingmeans are conformable to the contour of the wrist of the user.

4. Arm position control apparatus comprising, a flexible bubbleindicator, a flexible strap adapted to be securely fastened to aselected limb of a wearer and means for connecting said flexible bubbleindicator to said flexible strap, whereby the combination of said strapand said indicator are conformable to said limb of said wearer.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises, a deformable plate, a flexible transparent tube containing afluid and means for mounting said transparent tube on said plate.

'6. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises, a deformable base plate having indicia imprinted on onesurface thereof in the form of graduations, a flexible transparent tubeclosed at both ends and containing a fluid and a bubble therein, andmeans for attaching said transparent tube to the surface of said baseplate containing said indicia.

7. The invention as recited in claim 4, and including a strip ofcompressible material attached to the surface of said flexible strapopposite from the surface to which said flexible bubble indicator isconnected.

8. The invention as recited in claim 4, and including a strip ofcompressible non-skid material attached to the undersurface of saidflexible strap opposite said flexible bubble indicator.

9. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises a tube of flexible transparent tube having tab ends pressedtogether such that said tab ends are coplanar with one side of saidtube, a deformable base plate member having indicia in the form ofgraduations imprinted on one surface thereof and means for mounting saidflexible tube to said one surface at said tab ends of said flexibletransparent tube.

10. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises a flexible transparent tube closed at the ends and containinga fluid and a bubble, said bubble being adaptable to move within saidtube upon movement thereof, and indicia means imprinted on one surfaceof said tube in the form of graduations for calibrating the movement ofsaid bubble.

11. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said flexible bubbleindicator comprises a flexible transparent tube closed at the ends andcontaining a predetermined quantity of a fluid therein and a flexiblecalibrated plate mounted inside of said tube so that said calibratedplate is visible through said tube.

12. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises a deformable base plate member and a transparent sheet ofplastic material bonded to said base plate member in a manner such thatan unbonded protuberance is formed a predetermined length longitudinallysubstantially along the center of said base plate member.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12 and including indicia in theform of graduations imprinted thereon.

14. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said bubble indicatorcomprises a selectively deformable base plate member having asubstantially semi-cylindrical impression of a predetermined lengthrunning along one dimension and being substantially centered along theface thereof, a plain transparent plastic plate bonded to said face, apredetermined quantity of fluid partially filling said impression, andindicia in the form of calibration markings selectively imprinted upon aselected surface.

15. A position control apparatus adapted to be worn on the arm of a usercomprising in combination, a flexible position indicating deviceincluding a deformable base plate member, a deformable aperture platemember and a transparent sheet of plastic material bonded between saidbase plate member and said aperture plate member forming a protuberancein said plastic sheet outwardly through said aperture plate member, saidprotuberance additionally having a predetermined quantity of fluidtherein forming a bubble which is adapted to move within saidprotuberance as said apparatus is moved; a flexible strap; and means forconnecting said flexible position indicating device to said flexiblestrap, whereby the combination of said flexible strap and saidindicating device is conformable to the contour of the arm of the user.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15 and including indicia in theform of graduations selectively located on a predetermined revealedsurface.

17. A position control apparatus adapted to be Worn on the limb of auser comprising in combination, a flexible position indicating deviceincluding a deformable base plate member, a first sheet of plasticmaterial and a second sheet of plastic material, said first and saidsecond sheets being bonded together in a manner that a semi-cylindricalcavity is formed therebetween for a predetermined length, and means forbonding said first and said second plastic sheets to said base platemember; indicia means in the form of calibration markings selectivelylocated on a surface of said indicating device; a flexible strap adaptedto be securely fastened to the arm of said user and means connectingsaid flexible position indicating device to said flexible strap wherebythe combination is conformable to the contour of the arm of the user.

18. An arm position control apparatus adapted to be worn on the wrist ofa user comprising in combination, a flexible bubble indicator meanscomprising a plate of deformable material and containing an aperture apreselected distance along its length, another deformable plate bondedto one side of said aperture plate and a plate of transparent plasticmaterial bonded to the other side of said aperture plate, a fluidpartially filling said aperture effecting a bubble therein which isadapted to move within said aperture as the rotational position of thewrist is varied; indicia comprising calibration markings located on aselected revealed surface of said bubble indicator means; a flexiblestrap adapted to be securely fastened to the wrist; and means connectingsaid bubble indicator means to said flexible strap whereby thecombination is conformable to the contour of the wrist of the user.

19. An arm position control appartus adapted to be worn on the wristcomprising, flexible bubble indicator means; a flexible strap having abuckle attached to one end thereof, permitting said apparatus to besecurely fastened to the wrist; means connecting said flexible bubbleindicator means to said flexible strap on one side; and a strip ofcompressible non-skid foam material connected to the other side of saidflexible material opposite said bubble indicator means, whereby thecombination of said flexible strap, said indicator means and said stripof foam material is readily conformable to the contour of the wrist.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,317,715 4/1943Ball 33214 2,543,139 2/1951 Viet 33207 2,816,368 12/1957 Salopek 332073,123,358 3/1964 Czarev. 3,206,200 9/1965 Butan 273-54 FOREIGN PATENTS559,325 2/1944 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Examiner.

1. A POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE WORN ON THE LIMB OF A USERCOMPRISING A FLEXIBLE STRAP, AND A FLEXIBLE BUBBLE INDICATOR MEANSCONNECTED TO SAID STRAP, WHEREBY THE COMBINATION OF SAID FLEXIBLE STRAPAND SAID FLEXIBLE BUBBLE INDICATOR MEANS ARE CONFORMABLE TO THE CONTOUROF THE LIMB OF THE USER.